Storm Wrath

by Brandy L Rivers

  “Just in case. I don’t expect problems, but this is the first time in centuries that a harpy has given birth without the curse lurking. I want to make sure it’s truly over.”

  “Oh no.” He sat up and straddled her legs, caressing his hands over her belly. “There is no worry, no doubts. We’re to be happy. Several people have already promised that. That means you have to be here with me in order for me to be happy, with Nyla, and however many little girls we have.”

  Giggling, she covered his hands with hers. “You’re all excited about having an army of girls. What is wrong with you?”

  “I don’t need a boy. I need you, happy and healthy, just like our girls.” He shrugged. Her belly tightened under his hands. “Contractions are coming faster. What do you want to do?”

  “Seattle. Just in case. Please.” The fear in her eyes let his own edge in.

  “You got it. Let’s get you ready.”

  She gently pushed at him. “Then get up.”

  Climbing to his feet, he took her hands and pulled her to a stand. “Come on, gorgeous.” He reached behind himself to grab a dress. “This work?”

  Laughing, she pulled it over her head and scooted past him to the drawer. “You better put clothes on.”

  He grumbled. “Working on it.” Once she pulled her panties up, he spun her around and wrapped her in his arms. Flicking his wrist, he opened the portal.

  “Why do you want to stay here so bad?” she asked softly.

  “You were gone for weeks. I like having you all to myself. That doesn’t mean I want you to feel like a prisoner. I’m not arguing. I did open the portal as requested.”

  “Kellan, nothing you’ve done has made me feel trapped. Only loved. If you ever do make me feel trapped, I’ll let you know.” She pulled him through the portal and dropped onto their bed in his home.

  “When we’re settled in, we should find a home for all of us.”

  He grinned. “Already working on that. Toryn’s real estate agent might have a house, but I figured we’d go look after you were ready.”

  “How about the day after we have this little one?”

  “Seriously, doesn’t this usually take some time to be up and around?”

  Zoe giggled, shaking her head. “Not unless I have a cesarean or something. Harpies don’t do those. And considering I want healers nearby, whatever I need fixed will be. However, there shouldn’t be anything wrong.”

  “Anyone you want here?”

  Zoe’s amused smile softened. “My father.”

  He nodded. “I’ll be right back.” Kellan opened the portal and stepped through. He walked to the door, and Nightwing answered before he made it up the steps. “Your daughter would like you there for the birth of ours.”

  * * * *

  Zoe lay curled in bed while Kellan rocked Nyla. Strawberry blond curls capped her tiny head. Her eyes shone like emeralds. Absolutely precious.

  “Can I hold her?” Nightwing asked.

  Kellan met his stare and brought the tiny bundle to her grandfather. “I’m in love. With both of them.”

  “As it should be. Zoe stole my heart when I first laid eyes on her. As heartbroken as I was, she healed all the holes left when her mother died.”

  “She filled me up. I’m overflowing with love.” Kellan smiled down at his baby girl. Her mouth curled into a smile.

  Zoe’s arms wrapped around him from behind. “You’re a natural.”

  “So are you,” he murmured, turning his head to capture a quick kiss.

  Zoe smiled at her father. “Thank you for coming out.”

  Nightwing grinned. “Nowhere else I’d rather be. You would have made your mother proud.”

  “I wish I’d known more about her.”

  Nightwing stepped to Kellan’s side and took Zoe’s hand. He whispered an old spell.

  Peace washed over Zoe with a flood of memories. Nightwing smiled sadly. “She begged me to keep the secret of the curse and what would happen.”

  “How?” Zoe whispered.

  He took her shoulders and hugged her tight. “She always said you were the answer. I didn’t realize she’d seen something to convince her you would break the curse.”

  “What do you mean?” she whispered.

  “Her mother was part seer. She knew you and your mate would save the harpies. She didn’t want you to leave before the bond took place, but she knew you would have done anything to protect your mate.”

  She hugged Kellan tighter. “I never wanted to see him suffer.”

  “Worth it for you and Nyla,” Kellan murmured.

  Chapter 31

  Several days later, Kellan stood at the window, rocking Nyla. He couldn’t stop thinking about the dream that woke him that morning.

  Saressa stood on the tower in a white nightgown. Red welts covered her skin. Tears streaked down her face.

  “What happened?” he asked, hoping enough concern was inflected.

  “I’m a prisoner.” She wiped at her face and looked away.

  “To who?”

  “Dahma. When I learned who my true mate would be, I refused to be with him again. He was fucking me as I woke from my resurrection. I had no choice.”

  His stomach roiled but laughter threatened to bubble up. She’d forced a bond on Scotty and ensured her own death, not that it lasted. Karma did exist.

  “Thought you didn’t want me back at the castle.”

  “Not for good. Only to free me from this torment. You can beat Dahma now that your power has been unleashed.”

  He’d torn himself from the dream. He needed to find someone who knew how to keep unwanted visitors out of his head. Saressa got herself into the mess. She could get herself out.

  Zoe stretched, her body already back to pre-pregnancy shape. He wanted to see her round again.

  “Why are you and Nyla clear over there?” Zoe murmured.

  “She woke up. I wanted to snuggle her.”

  “Snuggle us both.” He moved to her and lay down beside Zoe.

  “Didn’t want to wake you.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Apparently my mother thinks I can save her from her mate, but if you ask me, I think karma has worked out her punishment.”

  “Not going to tell anyone?”

  “I am, but it’s six in the morning. I’m not ready to wake everyone up for a crisis that won’t be an issue for a while.” Kellan turned on his side, placing their daughter between them.

  He rubbed his finger across her forehead, and Nyla reached up to grab it.

  “She’s strong, like her mama,” he murmured.

  “Like her daddy,” Zoe replied.

  “Like us both. Think it will be okay for me to take Nyla with me when I go to talk with Toryn? You have that article to write still.”

  “Don’t keep her away from me too long, and that’s fine.” Zoe leaned over and stole a kiss. “Remember, we need to pack both our houses soon. That house is perfect.”

  “We can worry about that tonight. I have my girls. That’s all I need.”

  “Good luck, though I doubt you need it. I’m sure Toryn would be happy to have you working with them.”

  About Brandy L Rivers

  Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is kept busy writing the Others of Seattle, Others of Edenton, Combustible, and the Pine Barrens Pack series.

  An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. With every story her world of characters expands, pulling her new directions.

  Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, and several other projects.

  To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my

  Website – Facebook - Twitter

  Or join my newsletter

  Or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans.

  Also by Brandy L Rivers

  Box Sets

  Others of E
denton – Series Volume 1

  Others of Edenton – Series Volume 2

  Others of Edenton – Series Volume 3

  Others of Seattle – Series Volume 1

  Others of Seattle – Series Volume 2

  Others of Edenton

  New Beginnings

  In Too Deep

  Shadows Fall

  Shadows of the Past

  Falling Into Place

  Fated Love

  Breaking Free

  Mending Scars

  Labor of Love

  Light in Darkness

  Blissful Agony

  Entangled Darkness

  Deadly Design (Coming 10-24-16)

  Untitled: Declan’s story (Coming Summer 2017)

  Others of Seattle

  Nights Embrace

  Storm Mistress

  Accepting Fate

  Red Queen

  Seductive Solutions

  Changing Destiny

  Coming Together

  Storm Wrath

  Twisted Bonds (Coming Spring 2017)

  Nights Embrace Spin Off

  Summer Rhythm

  Stand Alone Contemporary Romance

  Heart on Fire

  Falling Star

  Sweet Tooth

  Backburn (Coming 1-6-17)

  Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke

  Cursed Vengeance

  Vengeance Unraveled (coming 2017)

  To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my

  Website – Facebook - Twitter

  Or join my newsletter or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans.

  Reference Guide

  Abyss – Faery version of hell. It is a dark, desolate wasteland.

  Air Fae – A fae descended from the air kingdom in Faery. They mainly cast air or electricity based spells. Some can dematerialize, scattering their cells. They can watch without being detected in this form and travel great distances rapidly.

  Arachnian – Part spider, part fae. They can weave silk webs, draw shadows out, and their venom forms a link that allows them some form of mind control over their prey.

  Avian – Air fae who have wings and are fierce in battle. Unlike harpies, they can be male or female and are quite skilled with magic.

  Awakening – Faeries come to age after their first sexual release with another faerie. This process brings their power to the surface. It will strengthen what might have previously shown as a weak power, or produce new ones to the individual fae.

  Bond – Faeries can form a bond with another. It is similar to werewolves mating. The two faeries’ magic mingles, strengthening each other. It is a slower process, but once it forms it can’t be broken.

  Clairvoyant – Psychic whose gift is second sight, or seeing the future.

  Druids – Humans who possess primarily nature magic. They aren’t as common as mages. Tend to stick with other druids. They cast mostly earth and air spells, though some can manipulate fire and water. Druids can shift into animals with practice.

  Dragon – Ancient creature of the elements. Most can shift forms from lizard-like beast to human at will. They possess elemental type of magic.

  Earth Fae – A fae descended from the Earth Kingdom of Faery. Their powers include superhuman strength and super-sensitive hearing, smell, and sight. Most can manipulate the earth itself, or create compounds of rock from dust or dirt. Some are able to communicate with animals.

  Elder Guard – Fae chosen by the Elder Guardians to serve as their guard and be their eyes and ears outside their secluded fortress. These fae can be controlled by the guardians, but are generally left to their own devices.

  Elder Guardian(s) – The fae who oversee fae royalty. They only intervene in the event one royal raises a complaint against another.

  Faery – Both the physical realm on the other side of the veil, and the people who come from there. There are many different forms of fae.

  Fire Fae – A fae descended from the Fire Kingdom of Faery. Many have visions. Their magic is generally heat and fire based.

  Harpy – A type of air fae who generally looks human. When angered, or when needed, their nails form claws, their feet talons, and wings sprout from their backs. They are capable of flight. These people were cursed long ago. Harpies are only female and always have female children. They are fierce warriors.

  Hyter Sprite – Type of air fae who can shift into birds. Rare species, and quite mischievous.

  Mages – Humans who possess elemental magic. They can either sling spells like weapons or heal, though it is rare for a mage to be a healer.

  Mate – Fae, and some other creatures, sometimes create a supernatural bond with their soul mate. The bond is nearly impossible to break unless one party dies. The bound couple will sometimes feel what the other is feeling, or sense danger the other is in.

  Nymph – There are water nymphs and wood nymphs. The water nymphs originated in Faery near lakes, oceans, and rivers. Wood nymphs originated in the oldest forests. Most of their magic is powered by love, lust and similar emotions, and enhanced through orgasm. Some nymphs have other forms of magic as well. Unlike most faerie, they have no glamour and are stuck with their unusual coloring.

  Others – Any being that isn’t quite human. Werewolves, vampires, shaman, druids, mages, witches, warlocks, fae are some examples.

  Paineater – A type of fae who heals others by taking their wounds. They heal more quickly than other fae.

  Phoenix – Type of fae whose blood is mostly fire and water magic. Under most circumstances their body will burn to ash upon death and they will resurrect at the place they consider home.

  Satyr – Fae creature with a goat’s legs and hooves. Fur covers their bodies from the hips down. They have horns upon their heads. They are known for their insatiable sexual behavior and to be well-endowed.

  Shield – A protection spell. Forms a wall usually of one or two elements.

  Silver Council – Organization of mages. They are the governing force of most Others. Not everyone recognizes them, but they try to police all Others. The Silver Council is mostly made up of formally trained mages. They occasionally will employ other casters.

  Siren – Sometimes called mermaids. They change forms in water. Fine scales cover their skin, and they develop gills behind their ears. Their coloring often changes with this form. They have similar forms of magic to nymphs.

  Storm Mistress/Master – A type of fae who has equal parts air, water, fire, and earth magic in their blood. They are extremely powerful.

  Ward - A spell that protects, sometimes keeps people from entering.

  Warded tattoos – Tattoos usually done by druids, shamans or sometimes mages that have a spell imbued into the pattern. The spell is typically of a protection variety.

  Acknowledgments

  Dear husband, I’m so glad you’ve pulled through the health scare of a lifetime. Things will only get better.

  To my mother, who is amazing and supportive of all I do, thank you for everything.

  My kids who still love their crazy mamma, love you three so very much.

  Rebecca Brooke, you are amazing. Thank you for all the feedback. You know I’ll always alpha read for you.

  Kristin Mayer, have I mentioned you’re spectacular. Thank you for reading and giving feedback. I’ll always do the same for you.

  Emily A. Lawrence, it’s been a pleasure working with you. Makes editing so much smoother. Thank you for all you do.

  To the River’s Others, I don’t say it enough, thank you for everything.

  River’s Shenanigans, you all make me smile. Thank you for discussing my books with me.

  To my betas, you are all truly appreciated.

  And to my readers, you are all the best. You go on this crazy journey with me, and I feel a little less nuts. Thank you for the support.

  Preview: Twisted Bonds

  Coming Summer 2017

  Everyone’s fate is twisted in unseen bonds...

  Isadora Starli
ng is ready to say I do to Toryn Flame. Her parents are finally tying the knot in a double ceremony. This is the first time she’ll be introduced to the fae as the princess of the air and fire realms.

  Lines are blurred. Friends and enemies are tied together in surprising ways. The truth becomes murky as more details are uncovered. Danger lurks around every corner as new alliances are formed.

  When those she trusts go missing, Isa will have to shore up her courage and dig deep to find the answers before her happily ever after is demolished.